This is one of those times where the internal debate about the pick of the week is very contentious. I mean, I dearly love Southside Johnny and am probably more excited about The Jukes than everything else here. On the other hand, it's tough to ignore a giant Led Zeppelin reissue. It feels somehow "bigger" than the U2 explosion.
Decisions, decisions...
Hope Radio - Ronnie Earl (Stony Plain)/Blues
Ronnie Earl is one of the most soulful blues guitar players out there. Though he's played with vocalists (Sugar Ray Norcia being my favorite), he specializes in instrumental recordings. Earl has the chops and the ideas to make a full album of blues instrumentals that'll hold your attention from the start. Hope Radio is a live recording put together at Wellspring Sound in Acton, Massachussetts.
The Jukes - Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes (Hip-O Select)/Blues-Soul-Rock-Asbury-Hipshakin
Thank goodness for Hip-O Select. The Jukes will finally be available on compact disc. Now I can crank up and sing along to "I Remember Last Night" in the privacy of my car!
The Song Remains the Same - Led Zeppelin (Rhino)/Rawk!
The original LP version of this movie soundtrack had several tunes missing that were a part of the concert film. That problem has been rectified and the sound has been given the remastering treatment. What really hasn't been fixed (and it couldn't have been) is the performance. This wasn't exactly Led Zeppelin at the height of their powers. No, the material from How The West Was Won was much tighter and fierce. Still, I want this thing. It's a big (if messy) chunk of rock history.
Joshua Tree: 20th Anniversary Edition - U2 (Island)/Rock
U2 is one of those bands that seem to bring out the argumentative side of the rock Internet forum yakkers. They're great, they suck, they used to be great but now they suck, they've always sucked, you suck! Hey, yak away people, because you can't stop me from looking forward to this reissue package. I haven't heard Joshua Tree in a year or so, ever since TheWife™ borrowed my copy to bring to work and somebody took it on permanent loan.
Contents include: the remastered, insanely great original recording; a second disc of B-sides, rarities, and other hooey; a DVD containing a concert from 1987.
Has it really been 20 years?
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
Now if only they would do a nice reissue job for Hearts Of Stone and This Time Its For Real...
-Glen
2 - Mark Saleski
yeah, no kiddin'!
3 - Josh
I'm about to have me one of those U2 sets in a few minutes. I'll not let one more day of my life pass without it. Glorious.
I also need to hear that Earl set.
4 - Tasha
You should check out the 30th anniversary Hearts of Stone Live CD at Southside Johnny's website. It is terrific and even has "Forver' and "Till the Good is Gone."